Fusible link



Sept 16. 1924.

c. ADAMs, JR

FUSIBLE LINK Filed March 15. 1920 Mik e/se: In Venier:

Patented Sept. 16, 1924.

CHARLES ADAMS, JR., WEEHAWKEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR ONE-HALF TO SYDNEY F. WESTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FUSIBLE LINK.

To all whom if may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ADAMS, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing in lVeehawken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fusible Links, of which the following is a specification. c

This invention rela-tes to improvements in fusible links, which, when the temperature reaches a certain predetermined degree, will be automatically released and separated; and is to be used in connection with devices such as automatic sprinkler-nozzles in fire-extinguishing systems, and means for closing fire-doors and shutters, and for similar uses.

One of the main objects of this invention is to provide a fusible-link in which the co-acting locking facesthereof'are arranged so as to permit the formingof a fusible stud-member through both co-acting linkmembers, which fusible element may be headed over, or upset, on 'both sides of the dual link member when properly assembled, thereby hugging the same together and maintaining the coacting members against` disruptive forces until the temperature has risen to a degree sufficient tocause said stud lock member to become fused, thereby releasing the said plates for action in the usual manner.

Another object of the .invention is to form a substantial, eflicient and effective fusible-link, of simple and light construction but having great holding strength, and in the assembly of which both co-acting members being of duplicate form, a minimum amount of solder will be necessary.`

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which will be positive in its action and in which the link members will be readily released, by reason of the fusible solder being melted, when heat to a sufficient degree comes into contact with same.

Other objects of the'invention will appear as the description proceeds; and while herein minute detailsV of the invention are described, the invention is not limited to these, since various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of. the Vinvention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, showing by way of example, three of many possible embodiments of the invention g' Figure l is a face-view of a fusible link completely assembled, in fthe preferred form. l 'l i 'A Fig. 2 is a side view of such link in central vertical section of Fig. l, looking from -tlie right.

Fig. 3 is a view in centrall verticalsection of the two parts of such linkisepnarated and released one from the other. Fig. et is a view similar to-Fig 2, but on an enlarged scale. 4

Figs. 5 and 6 are face views of two modifications Aof the link-members, and

Fig. 7 is a View in central vertical sectionl of the two parts of the link separated and released one from the other, of the modiication shown in Fig. 6.

In the preferred form, the fusible-link consists of a pairvof mate or duplicate linkmembers'or plates A and A, which link-l members are made of some suitable sheet metal, such as manganese bronzevof suitable thickness, whichare light but very strong and durable as to construction. As these link-members A and A are of substantially the same size and contour, they can b'othbe made on Vthe `same vdie or punch.

As shown, each of thev link-members or plates A and A has formed therein, at one end,'means l, in the form ofa'n opening or aperture, for engaging the connecting arms B, B, of a spreader valve, not shown, or other device to which the fusible-link may be attached, and at its other end has a cutaway portion 2, lso that, LWhen the linkmembers A and A are properly assembled, the aperture 1 of each link-member will be oppositely disposed to the cut-'away portion 2 of lthe companion link member; 4

Each link-memberA; and Ais provided with an extending locking lug-member or projection 3, as an integral part thereof, which is formed of a 'hollow cone-like contour with the apex thereof removed, the frustrum of said cone-like member received in and against the edges of the opening'v or aperture 4 `of the opposed yor companion projection, as shown in Fig.` 1. The associated aperture et is of sufficient diameter to receive the cone-like projection 3, and, after the member or plates Ar are assembled, as shown in Fig. 2, while the outwardly converging sides 0f the lug member 3 tend to press the plates apart, the headed stud member 5 is so placed as to tie the two link-members together in operative position. The headed stud member as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, is comprised of the usual suitable fusible metal 6, and, in view of the fact that, in the present construction, the composite link is formed of two like members or duplicates, it is therefore obvious that, when they are turned end to end, the associated fusible link-members are held by the two headed-over stud members which are not in shear for the reason that the shearing strains are taken up by the conelike extensions which are engaged with their associated apertures in opposed links. It will be noted that each stud member 5 constitutes a fusible rivet having in crosssection a wedge shaped body portion which is formed within the lug-member 8, and which co-acting with the heads formed over the ends of the lug member serves to retain the lug-member in engagement in the associated aperture ll, and that upon fusing of the rivet the lug member 3 tends to force the plates apart, there being no solder between the opposed faces of the plates.

ln the alternate construction, Fig. 5, there is disclosed a pair of head link members, together with their corresponding yapertures, similar to the preferred form shown in Fig. l, except that instead of being circular, the same are made of oval shape and function in exactly the same manner.

1n the alternate construction, lFig. 6, there is disclosed a pair of lock or head link members 3 which permit the formation of a stud-like headed over member 5 therebetween functioning above-described, in which the female end a of the link has a rectangular opening instead of a round one and the associated protruding member is formed of a pair of integrally mounted ontwardly-extending, partly-inclined, lugs or ears, they being so located as to be axially within the line of stress, and by reason of the said inclination of saidface, cause ready separation of the links by the camming action of said inclining lugs contacting with said apertures.

There are provided on one surface of the end extensions 7, 7 of the plates AA projections or bosses 8, 8, and on the opposite surface of the end extensions depressions 8, S', the projections 8, 8 of one plate being of sufficient length when engaged in the depressions 8, S of the other plate, and the plates are in face to face assembled relation, to space the plates slightly apart, thereby preventing sliding movement of the plates and facilitating separation thereof, and when heat is applied to the link to a suliicient degree, the link-members will immediately be released and separated one from the other by reason of the cone-like formation of the locking lug-members 3.

l claim:

l. ln a fusible-link, a pair of plates, each plate being provided with a lug member and with an aperture therethrough near the lug member; the lug member being open at its base and end and having outwardly converging sides; the plates being arranged in face to face relation to form the link, the lug member of one plate engaging in the aperture of the other plate and tending to press the plates apart; and a rivet of fusible solder passing through the lug member of each plate and the aperture of each plate and having heads formed over the base and over the end of the lug member for retaining the plates in assembled relation.

ln a fusible-link, a pair of plates, each plate being provided with a lug member and with an aperture therethrough near the lug member: the lug member being open at its base and end and having outwardly converging sides; the plates being arranged in. face to face relation to form the link, the lug member of one plate engaging in the aperture of the other plate and tending to press the plates apart; a rivet of fusible solder passing through the lug member of each plate and the aperture of each plate and having heads formed over the base and over the end of the lug member for retaining the plates in assembled relation; and means for attachment of the fuse-link to fire-extinguishing apparatus.

3. In a fusible-link, a pair of plates, each plate being provided with a lug member and with an aperture therethrough near the lug member; the lug member being open at its base and end and having outwardly converging sides; the plates being arranged in face to face relation to form the link, the lug member of one plate engaging in the apere ture of the other plate and tending to press the plates apart; and a rivet of fusible solder passing through the lug member of each plate and the aperture of each plate and having heads formed over the base and over the end of the lug member for retaining the plates in assembled relation; the opposed faces of the plates being free from solder.

4. In a fusible link, a pair of plates, each plate being provided with a lng member and with an aperture therethrough near the lug member; the lug member being open at its base and end and having outwardly converging sides; the plates being arranged in face to face relation to form the link, the lug member of one plate engaging in the aperture of the other plate and tending to press the plates apart; and a rivet of fusible solder passing through the lug member of each plate and the aperture of each plate, the body portion of the rivet conforming. to the interior of the lug member, and the rivet having heads formed over the base and 'over the end of the lug member and closing said base and end and the aperture of the plate 'for retaining the plates in assembled relation.

5. In a fusible link, a pair of plates, each plate being provided With a 4lug member open at each end and having outwardly converging sides, and `provided with an aperture through the plate near the lug member; the plates being arranged in face to face relation to form the link, the lug member of one plate engaging in the aperture of the other plate and tending to press the plates apart; a rivet of fusible solder passing through t-lie lug member of each plate and the aperture of each plate, the `body portion of the rivet conforming to the interior of the lug member, and the rivet having heads formed over the base and over the end of the lug member and closing said base and end and the aperture of the plate for retaining the plates in assembled relation; the opposed faces of the plates being free from solder.

6. In a fusible link, a pair of plates, each plate being provided With a lug member open atl its base and end and having out- Wardly converging sides and provided With an aperture through the plate near the lug,

member, the pla-tes being arranged in face to face relation to form the link, the lug member of one plate engaging in the aper ture of the other plate and tending to press the plates apart; and a rivet of fusible `solder passing through the lug member of each plate and through the aperture of the other section being lof Wedge shape and conforming to the converging interior sides of the lug member and the rivet having heads formed over the base and over the end of the lug member and closing said'base and end 4o` t `plate,'the body portion ofthe rivet in cross and the aperture of the plate for retaining CHARLES ADAMS, JR.

Witnesses y .AoHiLLns RoRiiGNo, H. D. PENNEY. 

